Hybophthirus
Sign in to saveHybophthirus notophallus is a member of the superfamily Anoplura, meaning it is an ectoparasite that feeds on the blood of its mammalian host. It is a highly specialized louse that parasitizes Orycteropus afer, commonly known as the aardvark. This louse is the only species within the genus Hybophthirus and the family Hybophthiridae.
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Hybophthirus notophallus is a member of the superfamily Anoplura, meaning it is an ectoparasite that feeds on the blood of its mammalian host. It is a highly specialized louse that parasitizes Orycteropus afer, commonly known as the aardvark. This louse is the only species within the genus Hybophthirus and the family Hybophthiridae.
A notable characteristic of Hybophthirus notophallus is the bearing of a structure resembling a claw in addition to the true claw. Because this species is so specialized, it is believed that it has coevolved with its host over a significant period of time.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Hybophthirus” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.